The Official Fist Unclenching Thread

[aliantha]

No, you're right. Biodiversity has been a problem in the Tank in the past.... Unfortunately, the only way to keep it from being an ongoing problem is for the liberals who venture in to stick around.

[Shaun das Schaf]

In that case you better get me some of that Thick Skin Juice you're drinking!
Otherwise I'll just keep 'You Go Girl!'ing you from a distance. (Also known as abandoning brave warrior to superior forces )

Charge!! I'm right behind you. Well, not right behind you but behind you. Actually I'm rather a long way behind but I'm still behind you dammit. Charge!!
Um, anyone got a band-aid for that brave lady's gaping head wound?

Seriously though, I think I'm just adjusting to a bit of 'Tank culture shock.' Genuinely surprised by some of the views in there sometimes.

[sindatur]

In that case you better get me some of that Thick Skin Juice you're drinking!
Otherwise I'll just keep 'You Go Girl!'ing you from a distance. (Also known as abandoning brave warrior to superior forces )

Charge!! I'm right behind you. Well, not right behind you but behind you. Actually I'm rather a long way behind but I'm still behind you dammit. Charge!!
Um, anyone got a band-aid for that brave lady's gaping head wound?

Seriously though, I think I'm just adjusting to a bit of 'Tank culture shock.' Genuinely surprised by some of the views in there sometimes.

Heh, try reading back on some Rusmeister's posts in Abortion and Gay Marriage threads, he often shocked even the most Conservative Current posters.

[ussusimiel]

Some of my character has been built on the Watch, especially anytime I have ventured into the tank The sharks in there have really big teeth

u.

I second that. And I was wondering the other day, what, if any, effect that has on the biodiversity of the environment there.
Or do I just need to build more character!?

An old argument and in the past it has been liberal dominated to the point where right-leaning opinion was almost non-existent.

I prefer it the way it is now because it demands that we liberals up our game when it comes to expressing left-leaning opinions. It's easy to know what feels right but it's a different proposition to back that up with solid evidence and a well structured argument.

Anyway, Av does an excellent job of blunting too-sharp teeth and protecting the new little fishies.

And since this is a thread of celebration and although I think I've expressed my appreciation for Avatar's contribution here on the Watch before it's never too soon to say thanks again.

Thanks Avatar for being you. You're brilliant!

u.

[MsMary]

I generally avoid the Tank, even though I am interested in the issues, cause I just don't have time to get invested in the discussions.

[Savor Dam]

Quite so, MsMary. When I come across something in the Tank I feel prompted to write about, I go in and say my piece, then let it go at that (or at least after a clarification or two.) There are certain posters for whom getting the last word is their Holy Grail. Life is too short, and (in the spirit of this thread) I make a point to put in my and then unclench my Fist.

[aliantha]

Ah, rus. He was a special snowflake.

Shaun, I have a list of stuff I won't get into with those guys. Usually it's because I've learned the hard way that I care too much about the issue not to take their comments with a grain (or several!) of salt.

And I too sing the praises of Av.

[MsMary]

Ah, rus. He was a special snowflake.

Shaun, I have a list of stuff I won't get into with those guys. Usually it's because I've learned the hard way that I care too much about the issue not to take their comments with a grain (or several!) of salt.

And I too sing the praises of Av.

Indeed. Av does a great job of keeping the Tank sane. More or less.

[Avatar]

Hahaha, I do my best thanks guys. Although I don't hold out much hope for sanity.

Yeah, it goes in cycles. Me, I don't judge, and I don't hold grudges. *shrug* People are what and who they are, not what I want them to be.

Although I could wish they treated each other a little better sometimes.

--A

[MsMary]

I did say more or less sane.

I don't know if it's more more or more less.

[Shaun das Schaf]

In that case you better get me some of that Thick Skin Juice you're drinking!
Otherwise I'll just keep 'You Go Girl!'ing you from a distance. (Also known as abandoning brave warrior to superior forces )

Charge!! I'm right behind you. Well, not right behind you but behind you. Actually I'm rather a long way behind but I'm still behind you dammit. Charge!!
Um, anyone got a band-aid for that brave lady's gaping head wound?

Seriously though, I think I'm just adjusting to a bit of 'Tank culture shock.' Genuinely surprised by some of the views in there sometimes.

Heh, try reading back on some Rusmeister's posts in Abortion and Gay Marriage threads, he often shocked even the most Conservative Current posters.

Haha, actually I spent a fair amount of time in the Gay Marriage threads in my former incarnation as a lurker, so yes, perhaps I shouldn't be shocked after all! (I had a fair idea what I'd find if I ventured into the Abortion thread, so I stayed out of that one.)

[Shaun das Schaf]

Some of my character has been built on the Watch, especially anytime I have ventured into the tank The sharks in there have really big teeth

u.

I second that. And I was wondering the other day, what, if any, effect that has on the biodiversity of the environment there.
Or do I just need to build more character!?

An old argument and in the past it has been liberal dominated to the point where right-leaning opinion was almost non-existent.

I prefer it the way it is now because it demands that we liberals up our game when it comes to expressing left-leaning opinions. It's easy to know what feels right but it's a different proposition to back that up with solid evidence and a well structured argument.

Anyway, Av does an excellent job of blunting too-sharp teeth and protecting the new little fishies.

And since this is a thread of celebration and although I think I've expressed my appreciation for Avatar's contribution here on the Watch before it's never too soon to say thanks again.

Thanks Avatar for being you. You're brilliant!

u.

He does indeed do a wonderful job, but I'm also aware of at least one instance where he asked for slightly less gnashing of teeth and was told, in a manner of words, to mind his own business!

As for evidence and structure in arguments, though this is very true, I'm not sure it makes much difference! And I mean that for both sides of the political fence. To begin with, there's the old 'tell me what you want to hear and I'll give you the statistics', and then there's the sense I get that neither side of the fence, regardless of the strength of argument or evidence, is suddenly going to turn around and say, "You know what, abortion *is* murder." Or, "Holy crap, I've just realised I'm a Democrat." Or, "You're right, what was I thinking, there is no God."

Sometimes it feels like a lot of hot air is exchanged but very little shifting in position. Which is all well and good, conversation for conversation's sake is perfectly fine and there's certainly some entertaining and informative discourse in the tank. Perhaps what I'm saying, in a long-winded way, is that I believe I may agree with SD and MsMary; all power to those who put in the time and effort to participate at such committed levels but it may be beyond me, especially given the oft-requested demand for citing references and relevant studies! LOL, it feels too much like being back at university, except even after I've handed in the paper, my lecturer is stalking me for follow-up essays!

I suspect that temperament also has a lot to do with it and I wonder if it doesn't account for a certain lack of gender biodiversity. Perhaps *some* men enjoy knocking down another's argument with their own argument as opposed to 'simply' discussing different viewpoints?

Well, that was a long post.

Maybe I'm in denial and I belong in the Tank after all!

[Linna Heartbooger]

In that case you better get me some of that Thick Skin Juice you're drinking!

I understand that alianthas bloom and bear fruit in all seasons.
Also there is no part of the Land in which they do not grow.
And they are the hardiest of growing things - the last to die and the first to grow again.

So yes, alianthas are very hardy... they can flourish almost anywhere.

[aliantha]

In that case you better get me some of that Thick Skin Juice you're drinking!

I understand that alianthas bloom and bear fruit in all seasons.
Also there is no part of the Land in which they do not grow.
And they are the hardiest of growing things - the last to die and the first to grow again.

So yes, alianthas are very hardy... they can flourish almost anywhere.

[ussusimiel]

Sometimes it feels like a lot of hot air is exchanged but very little shifting in position. Which is all well and good, conversation for conversation's sake is perfectly fine and there's certainly some entertaining and informative discourse in the tank.

I wouldn't underestimate how much of an achievement that is, as they are fond of saying in the Tank, if you want vitriol go to some of the left-only or right-only forums. The best thing, IMO, about the Tank is that both sides (and all the other sane people in between) can actually engage in passionate, robust discussion without it ever really getting personal or reduced to name-calling. (Godwin's Law is generally adhered to.)

The Close is the place to express an opinion in an welcoming and open atmosphere.

And since I haven't thanked aliantha in a while I'm going to do so now:

..............................thanks ali for all you do on the Watch

[Shaun das Schaf]

In that case you better get me some of that Thick Skin Juice you're drinking!

I understand that alianthas bloom and bear fruit in all seasons.
Also there is no part of the Land in which they do not grow.
And they are the hardiest of growing things - the last to die and the first to grow again.

So yes, alianthas are very hardy... they can flourish almost anywhere.

Perfect.

[Shaun das Schaf]

Sometimes it feels like a lot of hot air is exchanged but very little shifting in position. Which is all well and good, conversation for conversation's sake is perfectly fine and there's certainly some entertaining and informative discourse in the tank.

I wouldn't underestimate how much of an achievement that is, as they are fond of saying in the Tank, if you want vitriol go to some of the left-only or right-only forums. The best thing, IMO, about the Tank is that both sides (and all the other sane people in between) can actually engage in passionate, robust discussion without it ever really getting personal or reduced to name-calling. (Godwin's Law is generally adhered to.)

On both counts, you are right ussusimiel, especially compared to many places on the net.

[Holsety]

I had a chocolate shake today from Mcdonalds.

It was cold and thick and chocolatey.

I am a sucker for these things.

[aliantha]

And since I haven't thanked aliantha in a while I'm going to do so now:

..............................thanks ali for all you do on the Watch

<scuffs toe on carpet> Aww, shucks. Thanks!

[Cambo]

Since we all seem to be in a lovey dovey mood, I'd like to thank every single Watcher who might happen to read this: mods, newbies, oldies, admins, left right and off-centre!